FATHER of Skal Florimond Volckaert was nominated as the first president of the Association Internationale des Skal Clubs in 1934 and locally, Abundio Merced Sr. of Sychar Hotel is the newly nominated president for 2009 taking over the duties of lawyer Domingo Duerme of PAL.
Skal, founded in 1934 in Paris by travel managers, is a professional organization of tourism leaders around the world promoting global tourism, international goodwill and friendship.
It is the only international group uniting all branches of the travel and tourism industry (membership of Skal is open to managers or executives directly involved in tourism management, sales and promotions, in specified travel and tourism businesses, travel and tour operators and agencies, tourism organizations, governments and non-government tourism councils, hotels, convention centres, travel media; etc,).
With an approximate 22,000 members (industry's managers and executives) in 500 clubs throughout 90 nations, this non-political organizations activity occur at local level, moving up through National Committees, under the umbrella of Skål International, headquartered at the General Secretariat in Torremolinos, Spain.
Recently, the Davao City chapter held their intimate Christmas gathering and nominating their new set of officers for the coming year with Vice Mayor Sara Duterte officiating the induction.
The plans of the incoming group are geared towards another year of positive outlook, planning and undertaking for the growing tourism industry of this city.
